Discover the joys of coiled basketry techniques which can be used to make baskets, platters and pots, and also jewellery and sculptural forms. Through creating small items during the workshop, participants can gain many skills which lend themselves to a wide variety of creative outcomes.

The use of colourful yarns, especially tapestry wool, offers wonderful colourplay opportunities with coiling. Through trying out two main coiling techniques, participants can work with colour and design in different ways during the workshop.

The addition of a variety of beads and buttons where desired adds further design and textural possibilities. Beads of various shapes and sizes can be successfully incorporated into the coiling procedures, or added to a completed piece.

The basics of Peyote Stitch—a versatile off-loom beadweaving stitch—will be covered, along with regular and branched fringing. These techniques involve the use of beading needles and thread to stitch the seed beads together in various ways.

In the two-day version of this workshop, participants will create a coiled brooch using the figure-8 coiling technique, and start a small item using the regular coiling stitch. Larger beads and some buttons will be incorporated into the pieces made. The off-loom beadweaving stitches will be covered, and some of this may be achieved during the workshop time.

Longer versions of this workshop will allow for a greater number of small items to be created, or perhaps one larger item can be completed, incorporating some or all of the techniques covered, including more time allowed to practice the Peyote Stitch beading techniques.

Topics covered in this workshop:

Discussion of suitable core cords/materials to use in coiling, including foam-covered wire

Starting a coil with a focal bead or button

Working with figure-8 coiling to create a colourful brooch or pendant

How to join in new wool/yarn colours

How to finish the coil with a decorative element (charm, dangle, feather, button, etc.)

How to begin a coil without a focal bead in the centre

Regular coiling stitch—keeping it neat and smooth if desired

Adding in beads and/or buttons along the way if desired

Adding beads and/or buttons after completion of the coiling

Even-count flat peyote stitch, and how to form this into a tube

Regular and branched fringing (beadwork)

Using buttonhole stitch to form the coil, and discussion of its benefits

The above techniques are all covered in the two-day version of this workshop. In addition to these, the following techniques may be covered or at least discussed in longer versions of this workshop (the longer the workshop, the more these things can be discussed and experienced):

Discover the colourful array of possibilities with figure-8 coiling techniques to create interesting one-of-a-kind jewellery, such as brooches and pendants. Beautiful tapestry wool, with its alluring colour range, is used to dramatic effect in these coiled jewellery items.

Starting with a focal bead or button, the colourful wool is then coiled over a cotton core cord, which gives the resulting jewellery plenty of body and strength. Add interesting embellishments to complete the coiled jewellery item, such as feathers, beads, dangles, charms, etc.

Add a brooch back, or stitch on a bail to allow a pendant to hang from a necklace or ribbon. Participants should complete one item and start a second item during the workshop.

Topics covered in this workshop:

Discussion of suitable core cords/materials to use in coiling

Starting a coil with a focal bead or button

Working with figure-8 coiling to create a colourful brooch or pendant

How to join in new wool/yarn colours

How to finish the coil with a decorative element (charm, dangle, feather, button, etc.)